TaylorMade Ghost Spider Si Putter Review

When the anchoring putter ban was announced many companies came up with different ways to get the same effect and one of the most sensible is to make the shaft longer and put a heavier weight under the grip.

This acts as a counterbalance to the weight of the head and because your hands are closer to the centre of the club, it should be more stable to use.

Welcome to the approach of the TaylorMade Ghost Spider Si putter.

The Ghost Spider Si comes in two lengths of 35 or 38 inches, which you are supposed to grip 2 inches from the top. So unless you currently use a 33 inch putter, or have very long arms, then I would reach for the 38 inch version.

What I love about this counterbalance approach is that you grip the club wherever you feel comfortable on the 15 inch grip, rather than automatically going just below the top.

The width of the 130g grip is consistent through this area rather than narrowing like a normal grip, so that makes this all possible and placing your hands around the spider image is about right.

The 380g head does not look particularly high for moment of inertia (MOI), but the putter comes in at 6000 g/cm², which is over 25% more than most mallets. Most of this benefit comes from weight in the tips of the white fangs, which drag the weight low and back. The head sits very well at address although the alignment lines are a little on the short side.

Despite this, in a laser alignment tests against some other high MOI putters, it did prove one of the easiest to align at the target. I think that this due to a combination of the head design, the short distance between the hosel and the leading edge, and the ½ shaft offset.

There is only 2.5° loft on the Ghost Spider Si face which is low, but with the centre of gravity deeper to increase the MOI, it combines with the grooves on the face to produce a good roll on the ball.

The standard model is face balanced and suits a straight back and through stroke, which I think is ideal for a regular length, counter balanced putter.

You can also get the Ghost Spider Si in a Slant model with a 30° toe hang putter with a ¾ shaft offset. This could be an option if you are going to hold the club at the maximum length, as the putter is more likely to move in an arc during the stroke.

So far so good, but on the greens was where it's Achilles' heel showed. Well, it was more of a face than a heel, as the Pure Roll surlyn insert was soft enough, but really lacked any decent feel or feedback.

For me sound is a major part of feel for judging distance with putting and this was just an unconvincing dull noise which did not do justice to the rest of the putter set up. If TaylorMade could improve the face insert, by maybe using ideas from the Yes! brand they own, then this could be a great putter.

Of all the longer shafted putters I have reviewed, the balance, feel and grip size was certainly one of the best. However, it will be up to you to see if the face fits your game.